For those of you who have just had an abortion, breast pain is one of the uncomfortable side effects, although unfortunately, it is very common due to hormonal imbalances in the body. In particular, the body may take 1-2 weeks to balance the hormones in it so that during this time, various unpleasant side effects such as nausea and bloating, and breast pain will occur. If you use birth control immediately after the abortion (such as the pill, hormone patch, or vaginal ring), it's more likely that this behavior will also cause breast pain in the first few months. Apart from that, if breast pain persists for more than two weeks, or if you are worried about a health condition or other symptoms that appear, don't hesitate to see a doctor, OK!
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Method 1 of 2: Coping With Breast Pain
Step 1. Compress the breast with cold or warm temperatures to reduce the pain that appears
Cold pads can help reduce swelling and inflammation, which will automatically relieve the pain in your breasts. Meanwhile, warm pads, warm compresses, or soaking in warm water can also provide the same benefits. If possible, alternate between the two methods, allowing 20 minutes between compressions to relieve the pain you are experiencing.
- Cold cabbage leaf is also a traditional breast pain remedy whose effectiveness has been supported by several modern scientific studies.
- If you want to do warm or cold compress therapy, the recommended duration of compression is 20 minutes, followed by a pause of 20 minutes before doing it again.
Step 2. Use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) topical cream to reduce breast pain
Don't forget to consult the plan with the doctor, and don't forget to follow the post-drug care instructions given by the doctor! Basically, NSAID topical creams are very effective at relieving breast pain and to get them, you can ask your doctor or other medical professional for a prescription. Oral use of NSAIDs has not been shown to relieve breast pain, but the anti-inflammatory properties of over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help some women cope with the problem.
- Diclofenac, a topical NSAID, is very effective in relieving breast pain. However, to get it, you need to ask a doctor for a prescription. Follow the usage recommendations given by your doctor or pharmacist, yes!
- If taking naproxen orally, the recommended starting dose is 500 grams, which can be reduced to 250 grams. Medication should be taken every 6-8 hours, as often as needed.
- The dose of oral ibuprofen for mild to moderate pain is 400 grams every 4-6 hours, as often as needed.
Step 3. Wear a cotton bra with the right size so that the breasts can be well supported
If possible, wear a bra without wires so that your breasts are not pushed and put pressure on the chest area. One example of a bra worth trying is the encapsulation-style sports bra, or a bra that has separate cups so that it can support each breast separately. Don't forget to measure the circumference under your breasts when wearing a bra. If the result is odd, add 13 cm. If the result is even, add 10 cm. The result of this calculation is the size of your bra band. Then, find your cup size by wrapping a tape measure around the widest area of your chest. Subtract the bra band size from the cup size, then use these guidelines to find the right bra size:
- Less than 2.5 cm is AA
- 2.5 cm is A
- 5 cm is B
- 8 cm is C
- 10 cm is D
- 13 cm is DD
Step 4. Practice relaxation therapy to reduce anxiety-related pain
Distract your mind from physical and emotional pain to relieve the discomfort you are feeling and also calm the anxiety that is haunting your mind. The trick, relax in a place that is not too crowded and position the body as comfortable as possible. Then, close your eyes and take deep breaths as regularly as possible. With the help of guided imagery therapy, try to focus your mind on fun things and relax tense muscles as you breathe.
Do relaxation therapy alone, or with the help of an expert therapist
Method 2 of 2: Improving Diet to Reduce Breast Pain
Step 1. Increase fiber consumption
In particular, reduce your intake of foods rich in animal fats, and increase your intake of foods rich in whole grains, vegetables, and nuts, in order to break down the extra estrogen production in the body. The faster the body's ability to digest excess estrogen, the faster the breast pain will subside.
Green peas, broccoli, oatmeal, quinoa, lentils, and black beans are some examples of foods that are rich in fiber
Step 2. Eat foods rich in vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins
All these nutrients can help regulate the hormone lactogen produced by the body during pregnancy, and aims to stimulate the breast glands to be able to produce milk. By regulating these hormones through a good diet, your body's natural balance will definitely improve.
- Oranges and other citrus fruits are excellent sources of vitamin C.
- Calcium can be found in dairy products and green leafy vegetables, such as kale.
- Some examples of foods rich in magnesium are dark chocolate, almonds, and edamame (Japanese soybeans).
Step 3. Take a vitamin E supplement for two weeks
The results of studies regarding the effectiveness of vitamin E supplements are not conclusive, but some women claim their breast pain is reduced when taking vitamin E for a short period of time. Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin E supplements, and so far, the safest dose of vitamin E is 150-200 IUI. Specifically, 1 IUI is equivalent to 0.45 mg of synthetic vitamin E, or alpha-tocopheral. Based on that calculation, don't take more than 67.5-90 mg of vitamin E per day!
- Instead of supplements, please eat foods rich in vitamin E such as almonds, peanuts, avocados, and spinach.
- If the pain does not subside after 2 weeks, immediately consult a doctor!
Step 4. Increase consumption of omega 3 fatty acids
Although the benefits do not have a patent claim in the world of scientific research, some women feel their breast pain is reduced after consuming omega 3 fatty acids, either through daily food or supplements. However, don't forget to discuss with your doctor before taking supplements, especially because some ingredients in supplements can interact negatively with some drugs, such as anticoagulants. Two types of omega 3 fatty acids that are still recommended so far are EPA and DHA, which should be taken at a dose of 250 mg per day.
Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in fresh fish, flax seeds, fortified dairy products (check the label on the package), and green leafy vegetables such as kale, brussel sprouts, and spinach
Step 5. Try taking a primrose oil supplement as an alternative
As with other supplements, the effectiveness of primrose oil for treating breast pain has not been scientifically proven. However, primrose supplements are still considered safe for routine consumption, and have long been used as an alternative treatment method by many women. Most importantly, do not take primrose supplements if you have bleeding, epilepsy, or seizures, and/or plan to have surgery in the next two weeks. That's why it's always a good idea to discuss taking supplements with your doctor!
You can easily find these supplements at major pharmacies and online stores
Step 6. Avoid caffeine and nicotine to reduce breast discomfort
Although the results are not conclusive, some studies claim that caffeine and nicotine consumption can exacerbate breast pain. Some women also admit that stopping the consumption of coffee, tea and soda containing caffeine, as well as tobacco products containing nicotine, can reduce breast pain.
Step 7. Reduce sodium to reduce swelling
Eating foods that are full of salt can trigger water retention in the body. As a result, painful breast tissue can swell and feel more uncomfortable. Therefore, limit your salt intake by avoiding processed foods, fast food, and table salt for the first few weeks, while your body is trying to adjust.
